Thomas. R. Morris

B.A., International Relations, James Madison College, Michigan State University. J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1986. Practice concentrated in bankruptcy, commercial law, business law, workouts, real estate and complex situations.

University of Michigan Law School

J.D.

1983 - 1986

Michigan State University

B.A. | international relations

1978 - 1982

James Madison College

member

Morris & Morris Attorneys, P.L.L.C.

2021 - Current

member

Silverman & Morris, P.L.L.C.

2003 - 2021

shareholder

Shefferly, Silverman & Morris

1990 - 2003

attorney

Schlussel, Lifton

1985 - 1989

The Michigan Exemption Initiative

Michigan Business Law Journal

July, 2011

The History and Futrure of Michigan Debtor Exemptions

Michigan Business Law Journal

July, 2010

Representing Small Business Debtors in Bankruptcy

ICLE

2009

The Discharge of "Trustee" Debts: Defining the Term "Fiduciary Capacity" under Bankruptcy Code section 523(a)(4)

Michigan Business Law Journal

March, 2008

Judgment Liens Against Real Property: H.B. 4941 Proposes Major Changes

Michigan Real Property Review

June, 2000

Individual Chapter 11 Reorganizations, ABI Central States conference, Traverse City, Michigan

June 14, 2013

American Bankruptcy Institute

moderator and speaker

listing 2008 to present

Superlawyers

Creditor/Debtors Rights Committee, Business Law Section, State Bar of Michigan

member

2008 - Current

American Bankruptcy Institute

member

1996 - Current

Activities: Occasional lecturer.

State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section, Creditor/Debtor Rights Committee

member

1987 - Current

Business Law Section Council

member

2009 - 2015

Michigan

Since 1986

6th Circuit

Since 1986

• Free Consultation
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• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Standard hourly rate is $350.

Q. How do I evict a tenant in Novi, Michigan after lease expiration and non-payment?

July 8, 2025

A: Evictions are handled by the state district courts. Therefore, the 52-1 District Court on Grand River Avenue in Novi would presumably have jurisdiction. You need to send a thirty-day notice to quit (or a seven-day notice to pay rent, depending upon your strategy, then file the complaint if necessary. The court has further instructions on its website. There are a number of local attorneys who handle evictions. The law can be complicated, so I cannot in this format provide a complete course on evictions.

Q. Can an unrecorded HELOC become a lien after property sale in Michigan?

June 11, 2025

A: The short answer is no. A purchaser without knowledge of the unrecorded interest in the property will acquire title that is superior to the mortgage, i.e. not subject to the mortgage. However, the lender may try to find a way to change this result by questioning whether the purchaser took title in good faith and should have inquired as to the existence of the mortgage. The more complete answer is possibly.

Q. Can I use power of attorney to claim my incarcerated fiancé's vehicles in Michigan?

June 5, 2025

A: Yes, if the document was correctly prepared and gives you that authority. The purpose of the power of attorney document is to convince whoever you need to convince (such as an impound yard that has possession of the vehicles) to allow you to take the vehicles.